Page 29 of Off Limits Daddies
Her car turns into the lot and I straighten, my pulse kicking up. She spots me immediately. Our eyes meet through her windshield and I watch her hands tighten on the steering wheel. She doesn't pretend not to see me. Doesn't drive away. She pulls into a spot three spaces down and cuts the engine.
For a long moment, she just sits there. I can see the war happening behind those blue eyes even from this distance. Then she opens the door and steps out, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Jack." My name sounds like an accusation. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk." I push off from my car and close the distance between us. She's wearing a simple sundress that shows off her legs, and I force myself to keep my eyes on her face.
"There's nothing to talk about." She moves toward her building, keys already in her hand. "It was a mistake. We both know it."
At least she isn't pretending that what happened in my office didn't happen.
I catch her elbow gently, stopping her. The contact sends electricity up my arm. "Was it?"
She looks down at my hand on her arm, then back up at my face. The wariness in her eyes is mixed with something else. Attraction? She can't hide that she's attracted to me, even as she's trying to keep distance between us. "Yes. You're my boss, Jack. My father's best friend. This can't happen."
"Can't or shouldn't?" I step closer, backing her against her car. She doesn't move away. "Because those are two very different things, Mia."
Her breath catches. I'm close enough now to see the pulse hammering in her throat, to smell the vanilla scent of her shampoo. "Both."
"Liar." The word comes out rougher than I intended. "I saw your face when you came apart on my desk. That wasn't a mistake. That was all these years of wanting finally breaking through."
Color floods her cheeks. "Jack, please. This is complicated enough without?—"
"Without what? Without admitting we still want each other?" I brace one hand on the car beside her head, caging her in. Not trapping her. She could duck under my arm easily if she wanted.But she doesn't. "I never stopped thinking about you, Mia. Do you know that? After you left, I looked for you. For months. Your mother wouldn't tell me anything. Your father was devastated and I couldn't even explain why I was so desperate to find you."
Her eyes widen. "You looked for me?"
"Of course I did." My voice drops lower. "You disappeared without a word. I thought maybe what happened between us scared you off. Or maybe you regretted it. I drove myself crazy wondering if I'd hurt you somehow."
"You didn't hurt me." Her voice is barely a whisper. "I just ... I had to leave."
"Why?" I lean closer, my forehead almost touching hers. "Tell me why you ran, Mia. Make me understand."
She shakes her head, her dark hair brushing against my hand. "I can't."
"Can't or won't?"
"Does it matter?" Her hands come up to rest against my chest, but she doesn't push me away. Her fingers curl into my shirt instead. "Jack, we work together. If anyone finds out about us, it could destroy your career. Mine too."
"I don't care." The words surprise me with their honesty. "I've spent ten years being professional. Being responsible. Doing the right thing. And where has it gotten me? Divorced. Alone. Watching you walk through my school every day and pretending I don't remember exactly how you taste."
Her breath hitches. "We can't do this."
"Then tell me to leave." I brush my thumb along her jaw, feeling her tremble. "Tell me you don't feel this pull between us. Tell me that night in my office meant nothing. Tell me you don't lie awake at night remembering how good we were together."
"Jack." My name sounds like a prayer and a curse.
"Say it, Mia. Tell me to go and I will. I'll maintain professional distance. I'll pretend that having you in my building doesn't make me hard every time I see you. I'll be your boss and nothing more." I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes. "But you have to say it. You have to tell me you don't want this."
Her blue eyes search mine for a long moment. I can see the conflict there, the fear and desire warring for dominance. Then her hands fist tighter in my shirt and she pulls me down to her.
"I can't," she whispers against my lips.
I kiss her hard, pouring ten years of wanting into it. She opens for me immediately, her tongue sliding against mine with a desperation that matches my own. My hands find her waist, pulling her flush against me. Letting her feel just how hard I am for her. She's all soft curves and warm skin, and I want to devour her.
"Inside," I manage between kisses. "We need to go inside before I take you right here, in broad daylight, in front of God and everyone else."
She gasps, but the sound is more excited than startled, then grabs my hand and we practically run to her apartment. She fumbles with her keys, her hands shaking. I take them from her and unlock the door, then hold the door for her to go in first. Themoment we're inside with the door closed, I have her pressed against it.
